Marine Claims | Q.A Shirazi Surveyors

MARINE CLAIMS

Q.A. Shirazi Surveyors provides specialized services in the adjustment, investigation, and evaluation of Marine Cargo and Marine Hull Claims, offering end-to-end expertise from loss notification to final settlement.
Our marine surveyors and engineers possess extensive experience in import, export, and inland transit exposures, enabling us to assess cargo and vessel damages across a broad range of commodities — including electronics, textiles, industrial equipment, food products, and high-value manufactured goods.

We understand the time-sensitive and documentation-heavy nature of marine claims. Our professionals ensure swift mobilization, transparent communication, and technically substantiated findings that assist insurers and insureds in achieving fair and efficient claim resolution. Over the years, we have handled numerous claims involving containerized cargo, machinery in transit, general average contributions, and damages due to rough handling, weather exposure, and seawater ingress.

Our objective is to protect the interests of all stakeholders — ensuring that each claim is adjusted in accordance with policy terms, marine law principles, and international shipping standards such as Institute Cargo Clauses (A, B, C) and Hull & Machinery Clauses.

A marine claim arises when goods, cargo, or vessels sustain loss or damage during transportation by sea, air, road, rail, or inland waterways. These claims fall broadly into two categories:

Marine Cargo Claims — pertaining to goods carried in transit under a policy of insurance.
Marine Hull Claims — relating to physical damage to vessels, barges, or other marine equipment.

Common Causes of Marine Cargo Losses

Rough handling during loading, unloading, or transshipment.
Water ingress due to leakage, heavy weather, or flooding of holds and containers.
Short delivery, pilferage, or theft during storage or transit.
Condensation or moisture damage due to poor stowage or prolonged exposure.
Fire or explosion aboard ship or during inland transit.
Collision, grounding, capsizing, or sinking of carrying vessel.
Damage during container stuffing or unstuffing operations.

Typical Marine Hull Losses

Hull and machinery damage due to collision, grounding, or heavy weather.
Engine or machinery breakdowns.
Propeller or rudder damage.
Structural deformation or corrosion.

Our marine claim investigations involve physical inspection, cargo tally verification, packing and stowage assessment, and documentation analysis (bills of lading, packing lists, mate’s receipts, discharge reports, and surveyor certificates).
Where required, we liaise with shipping lines, port authorities, customs officials, and carriers to gather complete evidence and establish liability.

Marine insurance policies are designed to indemnify the insured for loss or damage to cargo or vessels during transit, subject to the terms and conditions specified in the policy schedule. The main components include:

1. Coverage Types

Institute Cargo Clauses (A, B, C) — defining perils insured against, ranging from “All Risks” (Clause A) to limited named perils (Clauses B & C).
Institute Strikes Clauses (Cargo) — covering loss due to strikes, riots, or civil commotion.
War & SRCC Extensions — protection against war-related or political risks.
Marine Hull Policies — covering physical damage to vessels and machinery from marine perils.

2. Policy Period & Transit

Coverage typically commences from the time goods leave the insured’s premises and continues during the ordinary course of transit until safe delivery at destination. For imports and exports, coverage may extend from warehouse to warehouse, including inland and port storage as specified in policy terms.

3. Basis of Indemnity

Cargo: Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) value plus any declared margin (commonly 10%).
Hull: Agreed value basis, considering depreciation, repairs, and deductibles.